Alvaro Dias

Alvaro Dias was born in Quatá, in the countryside of São Paulo state, to farmer Silvino Fernandes Dias and housewife Helena Fregadolli. He was raised in the city of Maringá, Paraná, and attended the State University of Londrina, where he graduated with a degree in history in 1967.[2][3]

Dias began his political career as an alderman for Londrina in 1968, being elected as a member of the Brazilian Democratic Movement (MDB). In the 1970 elections, he was elected to serve as state deputy of Paraná. In 1974, Dias was elected to the Chamber of Deputies, representing Paraná, and was re-elected in 1978.[4]

In 1982 Dias was elected to the Federal Senate. In 1986, he defeated former federal deputy Alencar Furtado to serve as Governor of Paraná. In his second year as governor, Dias attained a 90% approval rate.[5] In 1989 he ran for the PMDB presidential primary but lost to São Paulo congressman Ulysses Guimarães. Dias subsequently left PMDB and joined the Social Labour Party (PST).

In 1994 Dias joined the Progressive Party (PP) and ran for Paraná governor for a second time, losing to Jaime Lerner. That same year, he left PP and joined the Brazilian Social Democracy Party (PSDB).[6]

On 4 August 2018, Alvaro Dias officially launched his candidacy for President of Brazil in the 2018 elections as a member of Podemos. His campaign received the support of the Social Christian Party (PSC) and the Progressive Republican Party (PRP). Economist Paulo Rabello de Castro (PSC) joined Dias's ticket as his running mate.[7] Later on, the Christian Labour Party (PTC), the party of former president Fernando Collor, gave its support to Dias's candidacy.[8]